2024 French Open predictions picks for Kudermetova vs. Bouzkova, Wang vs. Timofeeva for Sun. 5/26

French Open Odds, Picks

Veronika Kudermetova (-115) vs Marie Bouzkova (-110)

5 a.m. ET

Veronika Kudermetova last played in Rome (clay), falling 3-6, 0-6 to Angelique Kerber. Kudermetova won just 43% of her service points and was broken on four occasions. In addition, the Russian won just 31% of her return points, failing to generate a break point.

Kudermetova is 3-4 on clay this year, but has a solid 90-65 career record on the surface.

She can generate pace behind her serve and has a huge, heavy forehand that dictates baseline play. The Russian also hits precise, cutting volleys at the net. However, her backhand leaks errors and she sometimes overplays her forehand, lacking both patience and rally tolerance during extended points.

Marie Bouzkova returned from a right elbow ailment in Strasbourg (clay), losing in the final qualifying round 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 to Cristina Bucsa. Bouzkova won just 45% of her service points and was broken nine times. The Czech won 55% of her return points, however, generating 24 break chances and breaking on nine occasions.

Bouzkova, who made the final of Bogota (altitude clay) earlier this season, is 5-2 on the dirt in 2024. As a professional, Bouzkova is 68-51 on clay.

The 25 year-old's game is centered around her rally tolerance, foot speed and counterpunching. Bouzkova is hard to hit through — she gets a lot of balls back in play and physically wears opponents down. In addition, the Czech's backhand can be a weapon at times, hitting into openings with precision. With that said, Bouzkova's game lacks power and her forehand is less sturdy, spraying errors at times.

When Kudermetova is at her best, she can rip through a defensive player like Bouzkova and dominate with her forehand.

However, in the Russian's current form, a consistent, physical player such as Bouzkova presents massive issues. Kudermetova can hit herself out of matches against these type of players — for instance, when Kudermetova imploded against Katie Volynets at the Australian Open last season.

Bouzkova has the defensive skills to blunt Kudermetova's power and extend rallies. Kudermetova should lose patience and decrease her margins.

In addition, Bouzkova has the tennis IQ, consistency and patience on court to wait for her moment to effectively target Kudermetova's weak backhand. The Czech should have the upper hand in backhand-to-backhand exchanges.

Pick: Bouzkova ML (-110 via BetMGM)

Yafan Wang (-128) vs Maria Timofeeva (-106)

5 a.m. ET

Yafan Wang made the second round of Rabat (clay), but fell 6-7(4), 0-6 to Viktoriya Tomova. Wang won 45% of her service points and was broken six times. She won 43% of her return points and broke on three occasions.

Wang is just 1-3 on clay this year, but she does have a solid 43-37 career mark on the dirt. Wang is a very consistent player from the ground. She moves well and has a high tennis IQ, understanding shot selection and point construction.

In addition, Wang gets good placement on her groundstrokes. However, Wang lacks power to her game and does not have heavy groundstrokes, which is helpful on clay.

Maria Timofeeva lost in the first round of Rome qualifying to Taylah Preston (4-6, 2-6). Timofeeva won only 47% of her service points and was broken on five occasions. The Russian also won 43% of her return points and was broken twice.

Timofeeva is 1-3 on clay in 2024, but does have a strong 38-22 record on the surface as a professional. Timofeeva has a heavy forehand that she uses to spread the court and pressure her opponents.

Timofeeva's footwork in getting the ball onto her forehand wing is strong and she constructs points wisely. With that said, her forehand can sit up in the court, she is streaky and her backhand is a massive liability.

Neither player is in particularly good form, but Wang is the more reliable of the two. She has the more well-rounded game and doesn't have a massive weakness akin to Timofeeva's backhand.

Wang has the movement and defense to successfully defend against Timofeeva's forehand and allow the 20-year-old to self-destruct. Timofeeva's forehand isn't quite big enough to rip through Wang's defenses and she can lack patience at times.

Wang has a huge edge in experience, having played 352 more professional matches than Timofeeva, which can matter in these big spots.

Pick: Wang ML (-110 via FanDuel)